The Endogenous Tryptophan‐derived Photoproduct 6‐formylindolo[3,2‐b]carbazole (FICZ) is a Nanomolar Photosensitizer that Can be Harnessed for the Photodynamic Elimination of Skin Cancer Cells in Vitro and in Vivo

UV‐chromophores contained in human skin may act as endogenous sensitizers of photooxidative stress and can be employed therapeutically for the photodynamic elimination of malignant cells. Here, we report that 6‐formylindolo[3,2‐b]carbazole (FICZ), a tryptophan‐derived photoproduct and endogenous aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist, displays activity as a nanomolar sensitizer of photooxidative stress, causing the photodynamic elimination of human melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. FICZ is an efficient UVA/Visible photosensitizer having absorbance maximum at 390 nm (ε = 9180 L mol^?1 cm^?1), and fluorescence and singlet oxygen quantum yields of 0.15 and 0.5, respectively, in methanol. In a panel of cultured human squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma skin cancer cells (SCC‐25, HaCaT‐ras II‐4, A375, G361, LOX), photodynamic induction of cell death was elicited by the combined action of solar simulated UVA (6.6 J cm^?2) and FICZ (≥10 nm ), preceded by the induction of oxidative stress as substantiated by MitoSOX Red fluorescence microscopy, comet detection of Fpg‐sensitive oxidative genomic lesions and upregulated stress response gene expression (HMOX1, HSPA1A, HSPA6). In SKH1 “high‐risk” mouse skin, an experimental FICZ/UVA photodynamic treatment regimen blocked the progression of UV‐induced tumorigenesis suggesting feasibility of harnessing FICZ for the photooxidative elimination of malignant cells in vivo.     

An Alternating Copolymer Derived from Indolo[3,2‐b]carbazole and 4,7‐Di(thieno[3,2‐b]thien‐2‐yl)‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole for Photovoltaic Cells

An alternating narrow bandgap conjugated copolymer (PICZ‐DTBT, E_g = 1.83 eV) derived from 5,11‐di(9‐heptadecanyl)indolo[3,2‐b]carbazole and 4,7‐di(thieno[3,2‐b]thien‐2‐yl)‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole (DTBT), was prepared by the palladium‐catalyzed Suzuki coupling reaction. The resultant polymer absorbs light from 350–690 nm, exhibits two absorbance peaks at around 420 and 570 nm and has good solution processibility and thermal stability. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy level and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) level of the copolymer determined by cyclic voltammetry were about −5.18 and −3.35 eV, respectively. Prototype bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cells from solid‐state composite films based on PICZ‐DTBT and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₇₁ butyric acid methyl ester (PC₇₁BM), show power conversion efficiencies up to 2.4% under 80 mW · cm⁻² illumination (AM1.5) with an open‐circuit voltage of V_oc = 0.75 V, a short current density of J_sc = 6.02 mA · cm⁻², and a fill factor of 42%. This indicates that the copolymer PICZ‐DTBT is a viable electron donor material for polymeric solar cells.

     

A new approach to the synthesis of benzofuro[3,2‐b]quinolines,benzothieno[3,2‐b]quinolines and indolo[3,2‐b]quinolines

Treatment of 2‐hydroxy‐, 2‐mercapto‐, and 2‐ethoxycarbonylamino‐benzonitriles 12 with 2‐fluoro‐ or 2‐nitrophenacylbromides 13 under alkaline conditions provided the corresponding benzofuran, benzothiophene, and indole intermediates 10 , respectivelly. Nucleophilic cyclization of these compounds led to the corresponding tetracyclic quinolinones 7a, 7b , and 3. Denitrocyclization reaction of compounds 10 (R = NO₂) was found especially useful. Compounds 7a, 7b , and 3 were converted to their chloro derivatives 14a‐c , which were reduced with hydrogen and a catalyst to the corresponding compounds 8a, 8b , and 2. The presented pathway represents a new method of preparation of quindoline 2 and its O and S analogs 8. Chloro derivatives 14 are reactive enough to provide the corresponding methoxy derivatives 15 and dimethylamino derivatives 16. Methylation of compounds 7a and 7b with iodomethane providing mixtures of major N‐methyl derivatives 17 and minor O‐methyl derivatives 15 were also studied.     

Construction of Hexahydropyrido[3,2‐c]carbazole and Hexahydropyrrolo[3,2‐c]carbazole Skeletons for the Synthesis of Related Indole Alkaloids

Synthesis of tetracyclic hexahydropyrido[3,2‐c]carbazoles ( 9a and 9b ) and hexahydropyrrolo[3,2‐c]carbazoles ( 13a and 13b ) structures was achieved via a new synthetic approach for the synthesis of related indole alkaloids such as deethylaspidospermidine and deethylibophyllidine. Hexahydropyrrolo[3,2‐c]carbazole structure was constructed for the first time starting from ethyl 4‐oxo‐cyclohexanecarboxylate in seven steps. Some tetrahydrocarbazole derivatives ( 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 11 , and 12 ) were also synthesized.     

Synthesis of New 2‐Phenylpyrano[3,2‐b]phenothiazin‐4(6H)‐one Derivatives

A new synthesis of 2‐phenylpyrano[3,2‐b]phenothiazin‐4(6H)‐one derivatives was reported. First 2,10‐diacetyl‐3‐hydroxyphenothiazine ( 2 ) was converted into their benzoyloxy esters ( 3a – 3j ) using different aromatic carboxylic acids in the presence of phosphorous oxychloride in pyridine. Benzoyloxy esters were converted into their 1,3‐diones ( 4a – 4j ) by using dry KOH in pyridine via Baker‐Venkataraman transformation reaction. The 1,3‐diones thus obtained were cyclised to pyranophenothiazines ( 5a – 5j ) by refluxing in an acetic acid/HCl mixture.     

Novel Conjugated Polymers Based on Dithieno[3,2‐b:6,7‐b]carbazole for Solution Processed Thin‐Film Transistors

Two conjugated polymers (CPs) P‐tCzC12 and P‐tCzC16 comprising alternating dithieno[3,2‐b:6,7‐b]carbazole and 4,4′‐dihexadecyl‐2,2′‐bithiophene units have been designed and synthesized. Upon thermal annealing, they can form ordered thin films in which the polymer backbones dominantly adopted an edge‐on orientation respective to the substrate with a lamellar spacing of ≈24 Å and a π‐stacking distance of ≈3.7 Å. Organic thin‐film transistors (OTFTs) were fabricated by solution casting. A hole mobility of 0.39 cm² V⁻¹s⁻¹ has been demonstrated with P‐tCzC16. This value is the highest among the CPs containing heteroacenes larger than 4 rings.     

Revisiting Indolo[3,2‐b]carbazole: Synthesis,Structures, Properties,and Applications

Indolo[3,2‐b]carbazole presents a π‐skeleton with a remarkable electronic structure and interesting potential applications. It is, however, also associated with ambiguity and controversy. Herein, new derivatives of indolo[3,2‐b]carbazole are reported and they have enabled a comprehensive study on the electronic structure of indolo[3,2‐b]carbazole and the development of a new n‐type organic semiconductor. Experimental and computational studies show that indolo[3,2‐b]carbazole has a largely localized p‐benzoquinonediimine moiety and significant antiaromaticity. When substituted with (4‐silylethynyl)phenyl groups, the indolo[3,2‐b]carbazole exhibits one‐dimensional π–π stacking and functions as an n‐type organic semiconductor in solution‐processed field effect transistors.     

Preparation of a series of benzothieno[3,2‐b]pyridine‐3‐carbonitriles and benzofuro[3,2‐b]pyridine‐3‐carbonitriles

New and shorter routes to the benzothieno[3,2‐b]pyridine‐3‐carbonitrile and benzofuro[3,2‐b]pyridine‐3‐carbonitrile ring systems are reported. These heterocycles may function as new templates for kinase inhibitors.     

Z‐Shaped Pyrrolo[3,2‐b]pyrroles and Their Transformation into π‐Expanded Indolo[3,2‐b]indoles

Sterically hindered 1,4‐dihydropyrrolo[3,2‐b]pyrroles possessing ortho‐(arylethynyl)phenyl substituents at positions‐2 and ‐5 were efficiently synthesized through a sila‐Sonogashira reaction. These unique Z‐shaped dyes showed relatively strong fluorescence in solution. Detailed optimization revealed that, in the presence of InCl₃, these alkynes readily undergo an intramolecular double cyclization to give hexacyclic products bearing an indolo[3,2‐b]indole skeleton in remarkable yields. Steady‐state UV–visible spectroscopy revealed that upon photoexcitation, the prepared Z‐shaped alkynes undergo mostly radiative relaxation leading to high fluorescence quantum yields. In the case of 7,14‐dihydrobenzo[g]benzo[6,7]indolo[3,2‐b]indoles, we believe that the substantial planarization of geometry in the excited state, is the underlying reason for the observed large Stokes shifts. The presence of additional electron‐withdrawing groups makes it possible to further alter the photophysical properties. The two‐photon absorption cross‐section values of both families of dyes were found to be modest and the nature of the excited state responsible for two‐photon absorption appeared to be strongly affected by the presence of peripheral groups. Serendipitous synthesis of unusual double‐Z‐shaped alkyne by Sonogashira and Glaser coupling is also reported.     

Synthesis of 1,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrido[3,2‐b]azepine

The synthesis of 7,8‐dihydro‐5(6H)‐quinolinone ( 3 ) from commercially available 3‐amino‐2‐cyclohexen‐1‐one ( 1 ) and 3‐(dimethylamino)acrolein ( 4 ) in 23% yield avoids the preparation of propynal ( 2 ). Conversion of 5‐(4‐methylphenylsulfonyl)‐6,7,8,9‐tetrahydro‐5H‐pyrido[3,2‐b]azepine ( 12 ) to 6‐(4‐methylphenylsulfonyl)‐1,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrido[3,2‐b]azepine ( 24 ) is described. Removal of the N‐(4‐methylphenylsulfonyl) group with 40% sulfuric acid in acetic acid gave the tricyclic azepine 26. Application of a similar series of reactions to 5‐(4‐nitrobenzoyl)‐6,7,8,9‐tetrahydro‐5H‐pyrido[3,2‐b]‐azepine ( 13 ) afforded 6‐(4‐nitrobenzoyl)‐1,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrido[3,2‐b]azepine ( 25 ).     

One‐Pot Three‐Component Synthesis of 6H‐chromeno[4,3‐b] or Cyclopenta[b]furo[3,2‐f]quinoline Derivatives

Two series of furo[3,2‐f ]quinoline‐2‐carboxylate were obtained via a three‐component reaction of aldehydes, 5‐aminobenzofuran‐2‐carboxylate, and 4‐hydroxy‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one or cyclopentane‐1,3‐dione in DMF under catalyst‐free condition in high yields. This one‐pot three‐component reaction provided an efficient method for the synthesis of fused polycyclic heterocycles for bioactive screening.     

Synthesis of 6‐Aryl‐4H‐imidazo[1,2‐b][1,2,4]triazoles and 6‐Aryl‐thiazolo[3,2‐b][1,2,4]triazoles

The cyclization of the derivatives of 3‐aminotriazole, 2‐(5‐substituted 4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐ylamino)‐1‐arylethanones and 2‐(4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐ylthio)‐1‐arylethanones to yield 6‐aryl‐4H‐imidazo[1,2‐b][1,2,4]triazoles and 6‐aryl‐thiazolo[3,2‐b][1,2,4]triazoles has been described.     

Synthesis and reactions of 11H‐benzo[b]pyrano[3,2‐f]indolizines an pyrrolo[3,2,1‐ij]pyrano[3,2‐c]quinolines

2‐Methyl‐3H‐indoles 1 cyclize with two equivalents of ethyl malonate 2 to form 4‐hydroxy‐11H‐benzo[b]pyrano[3,2‐f]indolizin‐2,5‐diones 3, whereas 2‐mefhyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indoles 9 give under similar conditions regioisomer 8‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐pyrrolo[3,2,1‐ij]pyrano[3,2‐c]quinolin‐7,10‐diones 10 . The pyrone rings of 3 and 9 can be cleaved either by alkaline hydrolysis to give 7‐acetyl‐8‐hydroxy‐10H‐pyrido[1,2‐a]indol‐6‐ones 4 or 5‐acetyl‐6‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐1,2‐dihydro‐4H‐pyrrolo‐[3,2,1‐ij]quinolin‐4‐ones 11 , respectively. Chlorination of 3 and 9 with sulfurylchloride gives under subsequent ring opening 7‐dichloroacetyl‐8‐hydroxy‐10H‐pyrido[1,2‐a]indol‐6‐ones 5 or 5‐dichloracetyl‐6‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐1,2‐dihydro‐4H‐pyrrolo[3,2,1‐ij]quinolin‐4‐ones 12 . The dichloroacetyl group of 5 can be reduced with zinc to 7‐acetyl‐8‐hydroxy‐10H‐pyrido[1,2‐a]indol‐6‐ones 7. Treatment of the acetyl compounds 4, 7 and 11 with 90% sulfuric acid cleaves the acetyl group and yields 8‐hydroxy‐10H‐pyrido[1,2‐a]‐indol‐6‐ones 6 and 8 , and 6‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐1,2‐dihydro‐4H‐pyrrolo[3,2,1‐ij]quinolin‐4‐ones 13 . Reaction of dichloroacetyl compounds 12 with sodium azide yields 6‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐5‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐ylcarbonyl)‐1,2‐dihydro‐4H‐pyrrolo[3,2,1‐ij]quinolin‐4‐ones 14 via intermediate geminal diazides.     

Synthesis and Bioassay of Dihydropyrano[3,2‐b]chromenediones

Ytterbium perfluorooctanoate [Yb(PFO)₃] is found to be an efficient catalyst for the microwave‐irradiated synthesis of dihydropyrano[3,2‐b]chromenediones by the one‐pot condensation of kojic acid, aldehydes, and 1,3‐dicarbonyl compound under solvent‐free conditions. This approach offers many advantages, such as excellent product yields in short reaction time, solvent‐free conditions, easy isolation of products, low catalyst loading, reusability of the catalyst, and the absence of volatile and hazardous emissions. The preliminary antimicrobial results of in vitro biological studies showed that most of the newly synthesized compounds display a moderate inhibitory activity against bacteria and fungi. The complete characterization of synthesized compounds and bioassay results are provided.     

6‐(2‐Fluorobenzylidene)‐2‐[1‐(2‐fluoro‐4‐biphenyl)ethyl]thiazolo[3,2‐b][1,2,4]triazol‐5(6H)‐one

The title compound, C₂₅H₁₇F₂N₃OS, was synthesized from 6‐(benzyl­idene)­thia­zolo­[3,2‐b][1,2,4]triazol‐5(6H)‐one. The fused thia­zolo­[3,2‐b][1,2,4]triazole system is essentially planar, and bifurcated C—H⋯O, C—H⋯N and C—H⋯F interactions are present between mol­ecules.     

Efficient New Synthesis of N‐Arylbenzo[b]furo[3,2‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐amines and Their Benzo[b]thieno[3,2‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐amine Analogues via a Microwave‐Assisted Dimroth Rearrangement

A useful and rapid access to libraries of N‐arylbenzo[b]furo[3,2‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐amines ( 1 ) and their novel benzo[b]thieno[3,2‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐amine analogues ( 2 ) was investigated for the first time. Title compounds were obtained via microwave‐accelerated condensation and Dimroth rearrangement of suitable anilines with N′‐(2‐cyanaryl)‐N,N‐dimethylformimidamides obtained by reaction of benzo[b]furane and benzo[b]thiophene precursors with N,N‐dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal. This work also demonstrates that well‐controlled parameters offer comfortable use of microwave technology and are both safe and beneficial to the environment. Some products obtained in this article exhibit interesting in vitro antiproliferative effects.     

Efficient Construction of Pyrano[3,2‐a]carbazoles: Application to a Biomimetic Total Synthesis of Cyclized Monoterpenoid Pyrano[3,2‐a]carbazole Alkaloids

We have developed a highly efficient route to 2‐hydroxy‐3‐methylcarbazole ( 1 ) via a palladium‐catalyzed construction of the carbazole skeleton. Using 1 as relay compound, different methods for annulations of pyran rings by reaction with terpenoid building blocks have been tested. The Lewis acid promoted reaction of 1 with prenal ( 21 ) opened up an efficient route to girinimbine ( 3 ) and the corresponding reaction with citral ( 25 ) afforded mahanimbine ( 5 ). Oxidation of compounds 3 and 5 provided murrayacine ( 4 ) and murrayacinine ( 6 ). Following the biogenetic proposal, mahanimbine ( 5 ) has been exploited for efficient biomimetic syntheses of the cyclized monoterpenoid pyrano[3,2‐a]carbazole alkaloids cyclomahanimbine ( 7 ), mahanimbidine ( 8 ) and bicyclomahanimbine ( 9 ). The interconversions of 5 , 7 , 8 and 9 are described and mechanistic implications are discussed. Structural assignments are unambiguously verified by X‐ray crystal structure determinations. Moreover, cyclomahanimbine ( 7 ) was transformed into murrayazolinine ( 10 ) and exozoline ( 11 ).     

Total Synthesis of 7‐ and 8‐Oxygenated Pyrano[3,2‐a]carbazole and Pyrano[2,3‐a]carbazole Alkaloids via Boronic Acid‐Catalyzed Annulation of the Pyran Ring

The boronic acid‐catalyzed annulation of citral opens up a short route to oxygenated cyclized monoterpenoid pyranocarbazole alkaloids. Thus, murrayamine‐D is available in only three steps and 55% overall yield from the corresponding carbazole precursor.